President Obama and U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Ryan Crocker met in the Oval Office on Friday for "an update on the situation in Afghanistan" and so tha tthe president could thank Crocker "for his superb leadership of the United States’ efforts in Afghanistan over the past year," White House press secretary Jay Carney said in a statement.

Carney continued:

"Ambassador Crocker has served at a critical time, and thanks to his work, the United States – together with the Afghan government, and our NATO-ISAF partners – has cemented a long-term partnership with the Afghan people that allows us to responsibly wind down the war as the Afghan Government stands up to take full responsibility for their security and sovereignty. Ambassador Crocker’s tireless and passionate focus on achieving our objective in Afghanistan has kept us safer and more secure, and completes another chapter in an unmatched career of diplomatic service in the most challenging postings. Ambassador Crocker will depart his role as the U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan with the President’s, and the nation’s, great thanks and admiration."

POLITICO 44

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Number Crunching

The Gross Domestic Product slowed to 1.5 percent in the second quarter of 2012, down from 2 percent in the first quarter and 4.1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2011, according to Commerce Department estimates.